(Instrumental opening -- klezzmer rather than mariachi)

At a little deli
on the Lower East Side of Manhattan
the line was so long
that I couldn't believe that I got in.
I didn't know where I should have lunch.
But suddenly I had a hunch.
And I knew, yes I knew I should go
when I heard Esther say-yay-yay:

"Come a little bit Kosher!
It's my kind of food:
Nutritious and strong!
Come a little bit Kosher!
It's worth the wait
when the line is so long!"

When I walked in the door
Ralph the counterman said, "Thanks for comin'!"
And Esther told me,
"He's a true genius with smoked salmon!"
As he put mustard on corned beef
I knew that I would find relief
And I knew, yes I knew it was right
when I heard Esther say-yay-yay:

"Come a little bit Kosher!
It's my kind of food:
Nutritious and strong!
Come a little bit Kosher!
It's worth the wait
when the line is so long!"

(Instrumental break)

When the meal had stopped
and I looked and saw my plate empty
Esther said, "Come back at dinnertime
and they'll serve you plenty."
So I left the old deli's grounds
and took the subway uptown
and as I rode away
in my mind, I heard Esther say-yay-yay:

"Come a little bit Kosher!
It's my kind of food:
Nutritious and strong!
Come a little bit Kosher!
It's worth the wait
when the line is so long!"

(Instrumental fadeout)